lightbulbdepot.com: anybody shop there?

[pianoman]

I'm just wondering if anyone here buys from lightbulbdepot.com. I came across their site while searching for PS40 lamps for my Olivettes. When I first placed my order, my card was declined because I forgot to transfer money into the account, and they called me today offering to give me a slightly better deal on the lamps if I ordered by phone. The fishy part of this is that they want me to scan and email them a paper that says that I give them permission to use my credit card, with my signature on the page. I have never heard of an online retailer doing this. Any comments?

-Dan

[Footer]

Originally Posted by pianoman

I'm just wondering if anyone here buys from lightbulbdepot.com. I came across their site while searching for PS40 lamps for my Olivettes. When I first placed my order, my card was declined because I forgot to transfer money into the account, and they called me today offering to give me a slightly better deal on the lamps if I ordered by phone. The fishy part of this is that they want me to scan and email them a paper that says that I give them permission to use my credit card, with my signature on the page. I have never heard of an online retailer doing this. Any comments?
-Dan

Some company's that do over the phone sales require this, many old companies do. If you are doing it through a legit company, see if you can't set up and expense account with them. Have them invoice you monthly and you won't have to worry about it.

[stantonsound]

I have used www.bulbamerica.com and have had good luck. They carry some of the random ones that aren't used much and the local places don't keep in stock. They Par64 prices are better than most.

[Footer]

Originally Posted by stantonsound

I have used www.bulbamerica.com and have had good luck. They carry some of the random ones that aren't used much and the local places don't keep in stock. They Par64 prices are better than most.

Bulbtronics is also good. Production Advantage also has good prices.

This place seems pretty good as well, and its a link on google adds, might want to take a look. http://www.soslightbulbs.com/shop/cu...FRlmWAodWk7qaA

[pianoman]

Thanks. I ended up calling lightbulbdepot as soon as I got my order ship confirmation because of course, I screwed up with my late night shopping; I ordered the 277V 500W PS40 lamps instead of the 120V versions. So now I have to refuse the shipment so it will go back to them and then they'll send me 4 120V 405W bulbs. I figured I could go down on the wattage a bit since I would get an extra 2000 hours of life out of the lamps. Also, they said the whole signing the paper thing wasn't necessary since I essentially approved their use of my card by my initial online order. So all is well with the world, I'm just an idiot. What would you use a 277V lamp for anyway?

-Dan

[stantonsound]

Most commercial buildings that I worked in when I was working as an electrician used 277v lighting. It is more efficient.

500 watts divided by 120 volts = 4.16 amps
500 watts divided by 277 volts = 1.81 amps

It really isn't that simple (loss in transformers, etc...), but the amp load is far less, and more fixtures can be put on one circuit with a 277 system. Theoretically, I can put 10 500watt lights on one circuit of 277, while I can put about 5 on a 120 circuit.


One 120volt circuit - 120Volts
Two 120volt circuits - 208volts (2 hots and a ground)

One 277volt circuit - 120volts
Two 277volt circuits - 480volts (2 hots and a ground)

[avkid]

We have a bunch of utility lighting that is 130volts.

[stantonsound]

Originally Posted by avkid

We have a bunch of utility lighting that is 130volts.

How do you get 130volts? Do you have a special transformer? That is a new one.

[avkid]

Originally Posted by stantonsound

How do you get 130volts? Do you have a special transformer?

Absolutely no clue, though it wouldn't surprise me.
The guy who wired the building(now retired) is an electrical genius.
He's good enough that he invited the county inspector into the building in the middle of the project.
The inspector said that was the first time he had ever been invited into an unfinished building on purpose.

[ship]

As said with a repuitable company, at times dependant upon their policy for at least the initial order, they might require something more than just a credit card over the phone. Prevents you from using someone elses credit card to some extent at least. Follow up orders wouldn't be a problem I'm sure.

Have heard of them before, never heard anything bad about that company or any mentioned. Litterly a hundred repuitable companies that sell lamps.

The 130v lamps are mostly out there for two purposes. First distribution, at times places near a power plant might see 125v worth of power instead of 120. The range is 110 to 125v. The 130v lamp balances out against slight voltage spikes etc.

Second reason is it working in a reverse direction of why most modern fixtures use 115v lamps even if they have a 120v system. As opposed to having more luminous output and color temperature in exchange for lamp life, the 130v lamp in a 120v system will drop some in exchange for more lamp life.

For the most part it's both reasons - a more rugged lamp to some extent, and one that lives longer.